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58th out of 284 books
—
220 voters
The Proud Breed
Passionate, colorful and peopled with unforgettable characters, The Proud Breed vividly recreates California's exciting past, from the wild country to the pirated coast, from gambling dens to lavish ballrooms, from the rush for gold to the triumph of statehood.
Mass Market Paperback, 832 pages
Published
September 1st 1985
by Bantam
(first published 1978)
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Apr 17, 2012
Nancy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
celeste-de-blasis,
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this is still my favorite book of all time. it is a wonderful story of early california, from the bear flag days to the battles of being a free or slave state, to becoming a state, to the civil war, to the gold rush and much more. my copy is falling apart. i will not part with it. it is a wonderful read. if you can find it, get it. you will not be disappointed.
An untamed woman...
A fearless man...
A magnificent love.
The monumental adventure that sweeps across a mighty century of American History.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this sweeping saga that was first published in 1978. The story begins in the territory of California, 1844, when our hot-blooded heroine, Tessa, takes a private swim in her favorite secluded pool, discovers she's being watched by a strange Yankee with lust in his eyes, takes out her knife, and stabs him. Thus begins the love o...more
A fearless man...
A magnificent love.
The monumental adventure that sweeps across a mighty century of American History.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this sweeping saga that was first published in 1978. The story begins in the territory of California, 1844, when our hot-blooded heroine, Tessa, takes a private swim in her favorite secluded pool, discovers she's being watched by a strange Yankee with lust in his eyes, takes out her knife, and stabs him. Thus begins the love o...more
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Oct 18, 2008
BoekenTrol
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to BoekenTrol by:
my mother
Before reading it, I had noticed the book on the shelf. I wasn't allowed to read it for a long time, not fit for a child, my mother said.
When I finally was allowed to (around 14 years of age),I simply loved this book. For me it was my first book about real life, though it is a novel and therefor probably fiction.
What I liked, apart from the saga about Tessa, her heritage and her family, was also the history part of this book. I have no clue if the background described is close to how it was in...more
When I finally was allowed to (around 14 years of age),I simply loved this book. For me it was my first book about real life, though it is a novel and therefor probably fiction.
What I liked, apart from the saga about Tessa, her heritage and her family, was also the history part of this book. I have no clue if the background described is close to how it was in...more
This is my favorite historical. It is one of the best books that I can remember. It is a wonderful love story that just engulfs the reader in its emotions. It spans a lifetime, and encompasses every emotion the people have. The author made the history of CA come alive for me in this wonderful story. I read it about 22 or 23 years ago, and I have never forgot it. If you are able to find a copy of it, I would highly recommend that you read it.
I'd love to give this one a 4.5.
This can be read as either a saga-romance or a pretty good tutorial on California history. Tied together into one neat package, it's a great read. It didn't quite earn a 5 with me because I felt the book really dropped off once Tessa's kids turned adults. But taken as a whole, this is definitely on my keeper shelf.
This can be read as either a saga-romance or a pretty good tutorial on California history. Tied together into one neat package, it's a great read. It didn't quite earn a 5 with me because I felt the book really dropped off once Tessa's kids turned adults. But taken as a whole, this is definitely on my keeper shelf.
Love love love this book, reread it periodically. Tessa, aka Teresa Maria Julietta Margarita Macleod y Amarista, and Gavin Ramsay are both strong, beautiful, larger than life characters. In them and through them, I really felt I was living the history of California, from the days of the ranchos belonging to Mexican citizens, to the gradual infiltration by Yankees. The gold rush, the boom of San Francisco, the droughts, the Civil War - all told through a very powerful love story.
It's very non-tra...more
It's very non-tra...more
The best book I ever read. Period
I have read and re-read it at least a dozen times over the past 30 years and passed the love and appreciation for this book and Celeste's other books along to my daughters who have done the same.
Her lyrical prose is a symphony of words bathing her landscapes and characters with lavish and intimate detail that has stayed with me half my life. Her historical settings are rich with persons, places and events so vividly portrayed that the folks of legend live in my m...more
I have read and re-read it at least a dozen times over the past 30 years and passed the love and appreciation for this book and Celeste's other books along to my daughters who have done the same.
Her lyrical prose is a symphony of words bathing her landscapes and characters with lavish and intimate detail that has stayed with me half my life. Her historical settings are rich with persons, places and events so vividly portrayed that the folks of legend live in my m...more
1 like · like · see review
I adore this book. It is one of the few books that can make me sob no matter how many times I read it. The only thing that was even the least bit disappointing was how once the children get into their teens, the book kind of rushes by. Then again it is an 800 page book and would be difficult to pack another 400 pages in. I am a history major in college as well so I was able to appreciate that aspect of the book as well. This was such a gripping tale, offering an entire range of emotions for the...more
BEST BOOK EVER! My all-time favorite that I have read countless times from the age of 15 until now, many, many years later!
Book spans the lifetime of Tessa and her love, Gavin. Many ups and downs throughout the story mixed in with historical background of California. Many interesting characters, all of whom are flawed just enough to be believable. Although there are dark portions of the story, it is a sweeping saga of love, forgiveness, and family.
I've read all of Celeste DeBlasis' titles, but t...more
Book spans the lifetime of Tessa and her love, Gavin. Many ups and downs throughout the story mixed in with historical background of California. Many interesting characters, all of whom are flawed just enough to be believable. Although there are dark portions of the story, it is a sweeping saga of love, forgiveness, and family.
I've read all of Celeste DeBlasis' titles, but t...more
Looking for a big, fat family saga set in Old California? Well then look no further; this is one of the best I've found yet. The Proud Breed begins in the 1840's as Tessa McCloud prepares for her sixteenth birthday. Great granddaughter of Don Esteban, one of the original Californio ranchero families, she has been "sold" by her father to the very evil Don Luis to pay off his gambling debts. Looking for a final respite before meeting her fate at the hand of Luis, Tessa goes to her favorite spot on...more
One of the best books I have ever read. It is impossible to put down and even though it's very long, you aren't ready for it to end. An amazing journey through one woman's ENTIRE life story. A great read! My Dad randomly grabbed this book off the decorative rustic bookshelf of a Potbelly's sandwich shop while in for lunch and got sucked in from the beginning and ended up "borrowing" it from them and then passed it on to me and then to my mom!
I loved this book, and it's one of the only romance novels I've read over and over. Recently, I bought a used copy on Amazon. I had no idea what happened to my original copy. When I find the time(which is scarce these days now that I write romance novels)I want to read it again and capture that special passion I felt between the hero and heroine that made me want to become a romance writer myself. Ah, Gavin and Tessa... Great book!
Diana
Diana
2 likes · like · see review
i read this book as a teen, and I loved it. I have read it about 5 times since then over the years. The history is great, but the characters are so wonderful. We share in their lives from when Tess is 16 up to her death, and the life in between is so fulfilled. We laugh with her and Gavin, we cry, we get mad, and we see what happens when you love and live with others. Great story!!!
This was a great read!! It has been a long time since I read the book. I found a hard back copy at a yard sale many years ago (I was still in high school) and loaned it to someone and never got it back. I have been searching for it ever since. I need to read it again. It has been about 20 or so years since i read the book. It must have been really good for me to remember it!
I read this book more than 30 years ago. In fact remember the old book clubs where you were a member and got a book each month? This was one of those books! I was 20 years old and I remember just being completely entralled with this...reading every moment I could. It was just a well written engaging saga! One of my first favorite books!
Not sure if this is a 4.5 star or a 5 star- I'll let it settle in my mental catalogue for a little. There were certainly a few eye watering moments.
As for the book it is a classic example of the nice solid texts with plenty of plot written up to about 25 years ago (since then nearly everything is too damn short). 700+pages of small type telling a classic family saga through Californian history. I could have done without the last 200 pages (because of the sad bits rather than a need to cut down t...more
As for the book it is a classic example of the nice solid texts with plenty of plot written up to about 25 years ago (since then nearly everything is too damn short). 700+pages of small type telling a classic family saga through Californian history. I could have done without the last 200 pages (because of the sad bits rather than a need to cut down t...more
1 like · like · see review
This is my favorite book of all time. I have read it 6-7 times over the years. Tessa and Gavin's story is full of life, love, hate, and everything in between. I loaned out my copy years ago, and was lucky enough to find a hardback copy again. It is hard to find, but so worth the effort.
Read this book in the late 70's. A historical romance novel set in early California. Starts on a massive ranchero of a Spanish Don and progresses through the gold rush. I liked it so much I read it twice, and that's a lot of pages.
I picked up this back in 1985 and I've never forgotten it. The beautifully told story has held a place in my heart all these years! I recently found a copy online! Yay! Definitely worth reading if you find a copy!
This is the first romance book I ever read...It is absolutely EPIC! I fell in love with Tessa, Gavin and their journey through life. I have gone through 5 copies to-date and though I rarely read m/f anymore? I find myself re-reading it about once a year. There are few fictional couples that feel so real to me. It's possibly one of the best books I have ever read. A very compelling read that takes you through a literal lifetime of love, loss, tragedy and more. Celeste DeBlasis made me want to BE...more
I love DeBlasis as a writer. She weaves history into a love story. I am still reading this book. I have read her Swann Trilogy which was wonderful. I would like to know more about her.
2 likes · like · see review
this is the only romance author that I like. I've read truism book 3 times. very good. although not in print anymore. you can find her books on amazon and ebay.
Jul 16, 2012
Laura
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Laura by:
Misfit
Just arrived from USA through BM.
This is the love story of Gavin Ramsey and Tessa who start to build their story in the former California state.
As a historical background the golden rush is described as well as the series of fires in San Francisco and how the civil war affected some of the main characters.
Even if I'm not a big fan of historical romance, I really appreciated this book since the author did manage to keep alive the plot during the whole dramatization written in almost 900 pages.
A...more
This is the love story of Gavin Ramsey and Tessa who start to build their story in the former California state.
As a historical background the golden rush is described as well as the series of fires in San Francisco and how the civil war affected some of the main characters.
Even if I'm not a big fan of historical romance, I really appreciated this book since the author did manage to keep alive the plot during the whole dramatization written in almost 900 pages.
A...more
3 likes · like · see review
DNF - I enjoyed the focus on California history but the social sentiments are dated and I couldn't overlook that so I decided to stop reading.
One of the first books that I read that totally engulfed me! I read it when I was probably 16 and it is still one of my favorites!
Aug 04, 2011
Carmel
added it
found this one on the bookshelf at the cabin... so far so good... and after seeing all the reviews here I will keep reading...
I adore this book! I enjoy re reading it at every given opportunity and need to replace it as I lost it when I moved.
My favorite book of all time. I re-read it every few years, and it still makes me cry every time. FABULOUS BOOK!
When willI ever find the time to read all these books that look amazing?!? haha my TBR is getting ridiculous..
I read this while traveling to CA years ago and still remember how wonderful it was. History of set up of CA.
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Celeste N. De Blasis was a successful American writer of historical-romance novels. She grew up on the Kemper Campbell Ranch in Victorville, California, in the high Mojave Desert. She attended Wellesley College, later transferred to Oregon State University, and in 1968 graduated from Pomona College, near her home. She continued to live on the ranch until her death.
In 1969 De Blasis received the So...more
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In 1969 De Blasis received the So...more
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“I am sorry because there will never be enough time, not even in a hundred years from this day would be enough time for us to love”
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